MILITARY HISTORY DND photo IS06-2017-0005-039 by Master Corporal Jennifer Kusche Corporal Jennifer Master by IS06-2017-0005-039 DND photo
Silence reigns in the early morning light at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France, on 7 April 2017, one hundred years to the day after the epic battle. Asian- and Black-Canadians at Vimy Ridge
by Mathias Joost
Major Mathias Joost, CD, is officer in charge of the war Black-Canadian soldiers at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The truth, diaries/operational records at the National Defence Directorate however, is far different. of History and Heritage. His areas of interest include the Air Reserves and visible minorities in the military. Japanese-Canadians and their participation in the CEF during the First World War is also an oft-overlooked subject. They too had Introduction problems enlisting in the CEF, but they were eventually accepted in ‘White’ battalions. Their arrival in the United Kingdom was just he Battle of Vimy Ridge is considered the in time to be trained and deployed, so that they could participate quintessential “Canadian” battle of the First in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. World War, celebrated in Canadian mythology as the moment when Canada became a nation and In terms of numbers, the soldiers from both of these ethnic as having bought it a seat at the Versailles Peace groups were small, yet they served with as great a determination Treaty.T The troops involved were more than just of British as any other soldier. By the time of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, there and Canadian origin – in effect, White-Canadians. Asian- and were about 140 Black-Canadian soldiers who had enlisted in the Black-Canadians also fought at Vimy Ridge, their story mainly combat battalions of the CEF, as well as 186 Japanese-Canadians. untold as to how they got to Vimy, and the nature and extent Yet, at the battle itself, only about 30 Black soldiers were involved, of their participation in the battle. and about 130 Japanese-Canadians. Considering that there were at least 212 Japanese-Canadians who served in the CEF during Conventional narratives of Black-Canadian participation the war, and about 1250 Black-Canadians, including the Black- in the First World War focus upon the contributions of No. 2 Caribbean and African-Americans who served, the disparity in Construction Battalion, Canada’s largest predominantly-Black numbers is worth investigating.1 Further, their contributions to unit of that conflict. Forgotten are the many Black-Canadians who the Battle should be considered an example of the desire to prove enlisted in battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), themselves equal to and worthy of being considered Canadian. for whom the common mythology indicates that they were not This article will examine the means by which Black- and Japanese- able to enlist in the CEF. Thus, there should not have been any Canadians were accepted into the CEF, how this affected their presence at Vimy Ridge, and the nature of their participation.2
Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 45 Beginnings On arrival in the UK, the battalions in which Black- and Japanese-Canadians had enlisted were broken up, with the excep- hen Japanese-Canadians in the lower mainland of British tion of most battalions that crossed the Atlantic as part of the W Columbia were unable to enlist in CEF battalions being 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions. When the four battalions in recruited in that area in 1914 and 1915, they found units ready which Japanese-Canadians had enlisted arrived in the UK, they to accept them in Alberta. It started slowly. The 13th Battalion, were dispersed. The Japanese-Canadians were kept together Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR), enlisted two on 6 April 1916, in their respective platoons and transferred to the 10th, 50th and the 175th Battalion, one on 6 February, the 191st Battalion, three 52nd Battalions. That said, the men of the 191st Battalion arrived at the end of May, and the 192nd Battalion, two on 18 May. in the UK in April 1917, and were thus too late to participate at Starting in June, Japanese-Canadians were accepted into the the Battle of Vimy Ridge. four battalions in small numbers each week, so that by the time each departed for the UK, they consisted of the numbers and The Black-Canadians allocations as noted in Table 1. owever, the situation for Black-Canadians was far Unit Number of Date of H different. Of the 122 Black soldiers whose units made it Japanese- Departure to the UK by the end of 1916 and are known to have enlisted 4 Canadians3 for UK in the combat arms, at least 85 were unable to serve at Vimy. There were a number of reasons for this. Some had been left 13th Battalion, CMR 41 June 1916 behind in Canada or Bermuda for medical or other reasons, or 175th Battalion 57 October 1916 they were in the process of being released after having already 191st Battalion 22 March 1917 made it to the United Kingdom.5 The main reason for release Author 192nd Battalion 50 November 1916 was for medical issues, as the medical examination performed upon enlistment was, at best, cursory, and it often missed back Table 1: Japanese-Canadians in Alberta-based battalions. problems, heart issues, flat feet, or other medical concerns that precluded an individual from service.6 Unlike the Japanese-Canadians who were concentrated in four battalions, Black- The biggest systemic reason for Canadians were scattered throughout the CEF, “Unlike the Japanese- Black-Canadians not being at Vimy was admin- istrative. There were 33 Black soldiers who since they enlisted from Vancouver to Halifax. Canadians who were Further, they enlisted over a much longer were held in reserve battalions after their units period of time. By the end of 1916, at least 139 concentrated in four had been broken up. While White-Canadians in had joined combat units.3 While the formation battalions, Black- the same units were quickly sent to front-line of No. 2 Construction Battalion was supposed battalions, Black-Canadians literally lan- Canadians were 7 to provide an outlet for those Black men who guished in the UK. Some would be sent to wished to serve, many Black-Canadians scattered throughout the front after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, while decided to enlist in infantry battalions, even the CEF, since they a few served the entire war in the UK. Starting in mid-1916, those that arrived in the UK were at the risk of being rejected. The result was enlisted from Vancouver that they could be found in small numbers, less likely to be deployed to the front-line normally clusters of under- five, in battalions to Halifax.” units, or even to spend the rest of their wartime throughout the CEF. service in the UK. This was likely the result of prejudice on the part of senior staff at the various headquarters, but especially from Major-General Samuel Benfield Steele, commander of the British South Eastern District.8
Killed in Died Recovering Transferred Held in Released Unit File At Action of from to No. 2 UK – (Medical Not Not Vimy Illness Wounds Construction Reserve or at yet Battalion Battalion Other) Vimy Available Author 9 1 4 17 33 19 6 16 27
Table 2: Black-Canadian soldiers and their disposition before Vimy Ridge.
For at least six Black-Canadians, they were in units that Thus, despite the number of Black-Canadians who had arrived were not part of the order of battle for Vimy Ridge, units such as in the UK in combat arms regiments being comparable to that of stationary hospitals and railway troops. Perhaps one of the more the Japanese-Canadians, there were fewer who were available to extraordinary reasons for not being at Vimy Ridge was that of a serve at Vimy. At best, the current calculations are that around Black artilleryman who was awaiting transfer to the Royal Flying 42 fought during the Battle, although this is likely to be reduced Corps (RFC). At a time when the RFC was not accepting visible as personnel files become more widely available. minorities for enlistment, his chain of command was supporting his application. He was successful in his endeavour.9
46 Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 MILITARY HISTORY DND/Directorate of History and Heritage of History and Heritage DND/Directorate
The Vimy Assault Plan German soldiers in their trenches and then “To help suppress the consolidate the positions, each battalion’s he attack on Vimy Ridge was a straight- Lewis machine guns would accompany the T forward frontal assault on the German German soldiers in their soldiers forward.10 positions. All four Canadian divisions trenches and then The Japanese-Canadians would be involved in the attack, with 850 consolidate the Canadian guns and 280 British guns provid- ing support, as well as the entire British 5th positions, each y the end of 1916, about 182 Japanese- Division. The artillery was to demolish the battalion’s Lewis B Canadians had enlisted in the CEF, of whom about 160 had arrived in the German trenches, keep the Germans in their machine guns would dugouts and suppress German artillery fire. UK by the time of Vimy Ridge. The 22 At 5:30 AM, the artillery opened up, with accompany the Japanese soldiers in the 191st Battalion the infantry advancing behind the barrage. soldiers forward.” were still in Canada, the battalion only Because of the size of the ridge, and the proceeding to the UK in late-March 1917. fact that the front lines lay at an angle to Of those who had arrived in the UK by the ridge, two of the Canadian divisions the time of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, had a longer distance to gain than the others. The 1st Division 148 of them were in three battalions, the 13th CMR, the had 4,000 yards to cover, while the 4th Division had only 700 175th Battalion, and the 192nd Battalion. Of the 14 known to yards to cross, albeit over steeper terrain. Four objectives have arrived in the UK in other battalions, at least three fought were laid out in sequence, the Black, Red, Blue, and Brown at Vimy. Of the remainder, four were still in the UK, while lines. For the 3rd and 4th Divisions, their objective was the Red two had already been in combat, one who was recovering from Line, while the 1st and 2nd Divisions, having farther to go, had his wounds at the time of Vimy Ridge, and one who had been to reach the Brown line. Each division had its own strategy killed in action. for how to reach its objectives. In the case of the 2nd Brigade, each battalion would have a two-company front, with the first Thirty-eight Japanese-Canadian soldiers of the 13th Battalion, and second waves coming from the first two companies and CMR, departed for France on 27 August 1916. They were first taking the Black line, with the third and fourth waves from sent to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) the remaining two companies taking the Red line. Once these Depot, and then to the PPCLI at the front, after which they were objectives were secured, the next battalion would pass through transferred to the 52nd Battalion, arriving in place on 4 October. and take the Blue and Brown lines. To help suppress the This was just in time to join the battalion as it moved into the front
Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 47 Beaverbrook Collection of War Art/Canadian War Museum/CWM 19710261-0160 War Art/Canadian War of Collection Beaverbrook
The Taking of Vimy Ridge, Easter Monday 1917, by Richard Jack.
lines at Courcelette. The soldiers of the 175th arrived in the UK in CMR, arriving in France in September 1916, and those of the October 1916, and after training, were sent to the 50th Battalion on 175th Battalion arriving on 2 February 1917. In the lead-up to 2 February 1917. However, the deployment of the 192nd was not Vimy Ridge, the Canadians raided the German lines every night as smooth. Most arrived with the 10th Battalion in early-December from 20 March to 8 April.12 Thus, the Japanese-Canadians of the 1916. However, some arrived between January and March, while 50th and 52nd Battalions had seen some fighting and had received others arrived at the Canadian Base Depot in late-January 1917, some casualties. A few of the injured had returned to their respec- but only deployed to the 10th Battalion after Vimy.11 tive battalions in time for Vimy, while others were still recovering from their wounds/injuries, or from other medical problems, such By the time of Vimy Ridge, Japanese-Canadians were serving as influenza. principally in three battalions, with those from the 13th Battalion,
Original Unit Unit Killed Recovering Held in File at in from UK – Unavailable Vimy Ridge Action Wounds Reserve Battalion 13th Bn, CMR 52nd Bn 2 10 0 13 175th Bn 50th Bn 1 8 0 17 Author 192nd Bn 10th Bn 0 4 4 12
Table 3: Disposition of Japanese-Canadians prior to Battle of Vimy Ridge.
In terms of the fighting at Vimy Ridge, the Japanese-Canadians to clear the Black line trenches, with only one officer being left of the three battalions had substantially different experiences. The uninjured before they had even begun their advance from the 10th Battalion ‘went over the parapets’ at 5:30 AM. The first Black line to the Red line. However, by 7:07 AM, the Red line wave suffered more than 90 killed and 250 wounded in the first was achieved, the German trenches began to be cleared, and the 15 minutes of battle. A small percentage of these were casualties position was being consolidated.13 from friendly artillery fire. However, German machine gun and rifle fire accounted for the remainder. With the German machine As the next battalion passed through, the 10th were able to guns overrun at 5:47 AM, the first two waves reached their objec- return to their original start point that evening. After a day of tive. The third and fourth waves took heavy casualties in helping rest on 10 April, the battalion moved forward into the Red line
48 Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 MILITARY HISTORY DND/Library and Archives Canada/PA-003117 Archives DND/Library and
A Japanese-Canadian soldier shaving outside his dug-out.
positions at 6:30 PM the next day. 12 April resulted in them The casualties of the 50th Battalion were slightly lower than those moving forward again, this time to relieve the 3rd Battalion at of the 10th Battalion, and yet, there were higher casualties among the Blue line positions where they remained in support of the the Japanese-Canadians of the 50th, compared to their counterparts 8th Battalion as they moved forward yet again on 14 April.14 in the 10th. Of those with the 50th, five were killed in the attack on 10 April (Privates Hamaguchi, Motohashi, Narita, Tada, and Despite the carnage levied upon the 10th Battalion, the Takenchi), and two were wounded – one with a serious gunshot casualties among the Japanese-Canadians were light. Only wound to the left leg, and one with a serious gunshot wound to the two were killed, one on 9 April, and one on 11 April (Privates scalp. Another Japanese-Canadian soldier was killed the next day Kojima and Migita). The number injured/wounded was also light, (Private Tsuchiya), and a seventh on 12 April (Private Sobuye). Before numbering only three – on each 9 April, 12 April, and 14 April. the 52nd was withdrawn, a final Japanese-Canadian was wounded/ One soldier suffered a shrapnel wound to the chest, one a severe injured at Vimy, receiving a serious concussion and bruising from shrapnel wound to the left leg, and one a slight rifle wound to German artillery fire on 13 April. the left hand. The 52nd Battalion had an easier time at Vimy Ridge since The 50th Battalion was initially in held reserve, but went they had been held in reserve on 9 April, but ready to move at one into battle at 3:15 PM on 10 April. These men quickly reached hour’s notice. On 11 April, they began the relief of the Canadian their objectives, and by 3:45 PM, they were consolidating their Mounted Rifles at 4:30 PM. They remained there throughout positions. Later that evening, the 47th Battalion relieved them. 12 April, but the next day, they moved forward to relieve the Casualties were 57 killed, 129 wounded, and 31 missing. The next 60th Battalion and to occupy their lines situated on the crest of morning, the battalion was reorganized into two companies, and the ridge.16 As a result, they suffered only three dead during the they received orders to attack “the Pimple.” The battalion attacked battle, and no casualties among the Japanese-Canadians. at 5:00 AM on 12 April. They took their objective, but remained under artillery and sniper fire throughout the day and night. This There were at least 20 Black soldiers who served in the infan- attack resulted in a further three soldiers killed, 38 wounded, try at Vimy Ridge. Of these, eight were fated to be killed before and seven missing. The battalion then moved forward a further the end of the war.17 As these soldiers were scattered throughout 1000 yards at 5:30 PM on 13 April, and was finally relieved at the entire CEF, they likewise went into battle across the whole 8:30 PM that evening.15 of the Vimy front, and their experiences varied according to the activities of their respective battalions.
Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 49 Because Black- Canadians were able to enlist in a larger number of units than Japanese-Canadians, they were also present in other branches of the army. Infanteer Archibald Perkins was attached to the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade HQ, while Infanteer David Crosby was attached to the 2nd Division Signals. There were at least three Black- Canadians serving with the artillery. Ruthven Pegus was with the 9th (Howitzer) Battery of the 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA), Raymond Vignale was with the 5th Brigade, CFA, and Lyman Hogan was with the 4th Brigade, CFA.18 On that cold morning of 9 April, the men of the artillery built up a sweat as they fired their guns as quickly as possible to soften up, destroy, or sup- press the German defences, something that the infantry greatly appreciated and com- mented upon. In part, their accuracy came from having commenced this work back on 20 March.19
There were also Black engineers at Vimy. Sapper Miles Dymond served with the 3rd Field Company, while Sapper Frank Bollen was with the 107th Battalion, which had been converted to a Pioneer Battalion.20 At Vimy, the 107th Battalion had been busy in the days before the assault, laying cable and preparing a light rail track from the Arian ammunition dump to the front lines. On 9 April, the battalion had three compa- nies laying cable through No Man’s Land as it was taken, thus helping to provide com- DND photo by Master Corporal Shilo Adamson Corporal Shilo Master by DND photo munications for the battalions at the front.21 A portion of the Canadian trenches at Vimy Ridge.
50 Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 MILITARY HISTORY William Rider-Rider/DND/Library and Archives Canada/PA-003201 Archives and Rider-Rider/DND/Library William
Three Black-Canadian soldiers in a captured German dugout during the Canadian advance east of Arras.
Division Battalion Name 1st Division 3rd Battalion Randolph Winslow 7th Battalion Lancelot Joseph Bertrand 10th Battalion Frederick Firth 14th Battalion Charles Langton 16th Battalion William Henderson 2nd Division 25th Battalion James Eatman 26th Battalion Ralph Stoutley 26th Battalion Norman Ash 3rd Division The Royal Canadian Regiment Gordon Johnson The Royal Canadian Regiment Jeremiah Jones The Royal Canadian Regiment Percy Martin 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Rankin Wheary 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles James A. Post 58th Battalion Henry Thomas Shepherd 4th Division 38th Battalion Sylvester Long 50th Battalion Samuel Watts 75th Battalion Charles Marshall 78th Battalion Ethelbert “Curley” Christian 87th Battalion George Lam Author 87th Battalion Arthur Duff
Table 4: Black-Canadian soldiers in Vimy Ridge Infantry Battalions.
Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 51 Black-Canadians were equally involved in the fighting across attack and caused heavy casualties. Once these strongpoints were the entire front. They too fought bravely, and suffered casualties. overcome, the next problem became the Germans still in control of The obstacles they overcame in the fighting were myriad, and they Hill 145, which the 4th Division had not taken. As a result, snipers did were a microcosm of the experience of the Canadian infantry as most of the killing. The RCR took their objectives, in the process, a whole. Not all their experiences can be noted here, due to the capturing five German machine guns. However, 50 soldiers were sheer number of battalions involved. However, a sampling will killed, 159 wounded, and 65 were missing, some of whom were provide an idea of what happened to them. later found to be wounded.22 Gordon Johnson made it through the fighting without any physi- Having fewer soldiers at the battle, there “Having fewer soldiers cal injury. However, Percy Martin suffered a were naturally fewer casualties among the gunshot wound to the left shoulder on 9 April, at the battle, there were Black-Canadians at Vimy than those suffered which kept him in hospital until 13 May. by the Japanese-Canadians. There was one naturally fewer soldier who was killed – Frederick Firth of casualties among the Perhaps the most distinguished action by the 10th Battalion. As noted in the write-up on a Black-Canadian in the RCR that day was the Japanese-Canadians of the 10th Battalion, Black-Canadians at accomplished by Jeremiah Jones, who had this battalion suffered many casualties from Vimy than those been hit by shrapnel. Before being pulled from machine gun and rifle fire. Private Firth’s body suffered by the the battlefield, Jones single-handedly attacked was never recovered, and thus, his name is a German machine gun post that was holding commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. Japanese-Canadians.” up his platoon’s advance. In the wake of his grenade attack, the surviving Germans sur- The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) also rendered to him. Jones then had them carry suffered casualties from German strongpoints and machine gun fire. the machine gun back to the battalion headquarters, where it was Their advance started well with C and D Companies advancing placed before his commanding officer. Jones then went back into behind the artillery fire that kept the enemy down with the result battle and was wounded by shrapnel in his left arm, which kept that the Black line was captured with just a few casualties. A and B him in hospital for two months. For his actions, Jones was recom- Companies then passed through C and D Companies, but by then, mended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the second-highest they came into range of German forces whose positions had not award for valour for enlisted Canadian soldiers at the time, but been taken or had been destroyed by the artillery. At La Folie Wood, this award was never approved.23 C and D Companies ran into several strongpoints that held up their W.I. Castle/ DND/Library and Archives Canada/PA-001020 Archives DND/Library and Castle/ W.I.
Advancing through “No Man’s Land” amid barbed wire during the battle.
52 Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 MILITARY HISTORY akg-images/WHA/World akg-images/WHA/World History Archive/AKG1066772
A Canadian Vimy casualty, being evacuated by captured German prisoner stretcher bearers.
It was not just enemy machine gun fire that resulted in objectives, they only did so with heavy casualties. A Company casualties. German artillery, although under attack, was still had only one officer and 12 men remaining by noon, while able to return fire, although at a reduced level and often without B Company had only a sergeant and 15 men securing the centre. precise targeting from the front lines. In the 78th Battalion, Ethelbert It was only with help from the 75th Battalion, which was moving “Curley” Christian was a runner, carrying messages from the com- through them to take up the advance, as well as the 102nd Battalion panies on the attack to headquarters, or between the headquarters on the right, that trenches were secured. The 87th Battalion was of different battalions. At Vimy, he was buried in a trench by artil- pulled from the line on 11 April.24 lery fire and not found for two days. As it materialized, he was barely alive when found, and was even more fortunate when being Given the hard fighting that the 87th Battalion experienced, it carried off the battlefield when two of his stretcher bearers were is was fortunate for Privates Arthur Duff and George Lam that they killed by enemy fire. As all four of his limbs were badly crushed were able to escape physical injury during this tough fighting. Duff and had been without proper blood circulation, gangrene set in had enlisted in the 77th Battalion in August 1915, joined the 87th in with the result that all four of his limbs had to be amputated. He November 1916, and was promptly sent on a Lewis Gun course. He survived the war and eventually became an advocate for veterans. was wounded in June 1917, but remained on duty. However, Private Duff was killed in action in November that year. Private Lam enlisted The 4th Division had the most difficulty at Vimy. For the in the 132nd Battalion in December 1915. He was taken on strength of 87th Battalion, 520 all ranks ‘went over the top’ at 5:30 AM. By the 87th on 6 December 1916 and wounded only once, in May 1917, the end of the battle, 149 had been killed and 155 wounded among a wound which kept him out of the 87th until late-December 1917. the ranks, which, if the officers were included, was a casualty rate For both of them, Vimy was their first major battle.25 of 60 percent. The battalion’s goal was to take the approaches to Hill 145. Right away, there were problems, as C Company on the The actions of one Black soldier at Vimy Ridge were to lead right flank was held up by rifle and machine gun fire from the to him being awarded the Military Cross. Lancelot Joseph Bertrand front and the right flank, where the 102nd Battalion was also hav- enlisted in the 11th Battalion at Valcartier in 1914, and when the ing problems advancing. While A and B Companies reached their unit was broken up, he was attached to the 7th Battalion just in
Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 53 time for the Second Battle of Ypres which he survived, despite them were decorated with the Military Medal (MM), one of them the battalion being all but wiped out. In the battalion’s next major receiving a bar to his MM. Among Black-Canadians, there was fight, the Battle of Festubert, Private Bertrand was wounded in the one Military Cross recipient, five Military Medals awarded, as shoulder. He was transported to the United Kingdom to recover and well as one Distinguished Conduct Medal.30 was to remain there, working at the Depot Headquarters, to allow time for his shoulder to recover as it was still weak. However, his Conclusions abilities were duly recognized, and he was quickly promoted to sergeant as of 15 July 1915, and then recommended for commis- etting from the UK to Vimy was a tale of dichotomies for sioning, which came through on 25 August 1916.26 He is one of G the two groups. While the Japanese-Canadians were able just two Black infantry officers of the war known to this author. to remain together as a coherent group, Black-Canadians were not. In part, this may have been because it was easier to send an On 20 October 1916, Lieutenant Bertrand was taken on strength already-organized company forward, yet this does not explain again by the 7th Battalion. On the morning of 9 April, runners reported why individual Black-Canadians seem to have been singled out to him that first, the company commander of No. 4 Company, and for retention in the UK and had not been sent to the front as then a more senior lieutenant of the company, had been killed. reinforcements. Thus, while the two groups had roughly equal Bertrand took over command of the company when they were still numbers of soldiers overseas at the end of 1916, there were 100 yards short of the Bismarck Trench. On arriving at the Black more Japanese-Canadians at Vimy because some administra- line, he learned another lieutenant had also been injured. Lieutenant tive process held back a good percentage of Black-Canadians. Bertrand then began to deploy the company to ensure that it was in contact with its flanks, and then began to consolidate the company’s At the battle itself, the distance that some divisions had position. In so doing, he had only one NCO to assist him, a corporal. to cover, or the nature of the terrain would likely have awed When the company moved on to the Red objective, he had only the soldiers at Vimy. For most of the Black-Canadians who 60 soldiers on strength in total.27 For his actions participated, they had already met the on this morning, Lieutenant Bertrand was German defences, and the tasks set before awarded the Military Cross. the Canadians were ones which would likely “The Japanese- have struck them with some worry. For the Black-Canadians continued to be enlisted Canadians must Japanese-Canadians, this was the first major in individual battalions, with 1916 being the certainly have been battle for them, some having only just arrived. most active year of recruitment. They were not, And yet, when it came to engaging the enemy, however, used as replacements for other Black- ferocious fighters as both groups showed their mettle. Not even age Canadians in the field, but rather, were put into a the numbers of their was a factor. Jeremiah Jones was over 50 when general pool, most of whom never made it to the members who were he took on a German machine gun post… continent. When it came to conscription, large numbers of Black-Canadians were enrolled, repatriated as medically The actual character of the fighting at Vimy over 300 having been identified. However, less unfit due to wounds/ depended upon the battalion in which each than 10 percent made it to front line service of injuries was quite high.” individual served. The Japanese-Canadians those known to have arrived in the UK.28 serving in the 52nd Battalion saw little action because they had been held in reserve. This The voluntary enlistment of Japanese- also happened to Black-Canadians. When it Canadians died down after the last members of 191st Battalion did come to combat, there was no reticence to fight on the part were accepted in early-1917. This battalion was broken up when of those who ‘went over the parapets.’ While there were more it arrived in the UK, its Japanese-Canadians sent to the 10th and Japanese-Canadian casualties than Black-Canadian casualties, 50th Battalions to reinforce their Japanese-Canadian platoons. this was more a result of the battalions in which they served, When it came to conscription, few were accepted – less than 30 the opposition they encountered, and just ‘blind luck’ that some having been identified, and there were less than five voluntary soldiers escaped unscathed, and others became casualties. enlistments in 1918. The Black- and Japanese-Canadians who fought at Vimy While seven of the Black-Canadians who served at Vimy demonstrated that they were as worthy of being considered sol- were killed in later action during the war, 37 Japanese-Canadians diers of Canada as any other group in the battle. These two groups who survived the battle were subsequently fatal casualties. Of of ethnic soldiers may have been small in numbers at Vimy, the total number of soldiers from each group that participated at but their presence was a signal that they too were equal to any Vimy, these were high percentage fatality rates. The Japanese- other ethnic group in Canada when it came to fighting for Canadians must certainly have been ferocious fighters as the their country. numbers of their members who were repatriated as medically unfit due to wounds/injuries was quite high.29 A total of 12 of
54 Canadian Military Journal • Vol. 18, No. 1, Winter 2017 NOTES
1. These numbers are based upon the author’s lists of confirmed Japanese-Canadians and of Black- Canadians, as well as African-Americans and Black-Caribs, who enlisted or were conscripted into the CEF. For the purposes of this study and simplicity, “Black-Canadians” will be used to represent men of African origin who were resident in Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States who enlisted and served in the CEF. 2. There were also 12 Chinese-Canadians, 10 Sikh- Canadians, and one Korean who are known to have enlisted. Because of their small numbers in the CEF, they are being excluded from this study. 3. The number of Black-Canadians is based upon the author’s research. The figure of 139 does not MILITARY HISTORY include those who enlisted in No. 2 Construction Battalion. Hence, the author recognizes that he has likely not included many Black-Canadians for whom a further source could not be found.
LAC is digitizing the personnel files of soldiers Photo/EDA1JY Stock Willequet/Alamy Manuel of the First World War. However, the process takes time, and information is not yet available for some Black- and Japanese Canadians. The Vimy Ridge Memorial. 4. The statistics and causes are based upon the author’s review of personnel files that are avail- aircraft from an aircraft supply depot in northern the battalion and in newspapers about his actions able online at the aforementioned LAC database, France to units at the front. This activity was one at Vimy Ridge and about the recommendation. “Soldiers of the First World War.” Not all of the in which hundreds of pilots partook. Because medals cannot be awarded beyond a personnel files of the soldiers who have been 10. 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Instructions No. 3, certain time after an event, Jones could no longer identified as being in the CEF at the time of Vimy dated 26 March 1917 found in LAC War Diary, receive the DCM. However, on 22 February Ridge are available for download. However, in 10th Battalion, Appendix 12 2010, Jeremiah Jones was posthumously awarded some cases, additional authoritative information 11. War Diaries of the 10th Battalion, 50th Battalion the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished exists for some of these soldiers. and 52nd Battalion. For the delays experienced Service. Jones’ wound was sufficiently bad that rd Battalion had enlisted at least 16 Black 5. The 163 by some of the Japanese soldiers of the 192nd, it left him with a weak arm and a 30 percent dis- soldiers while stationed in Bermuda. see, for instance, the personnel file of 898527 ability categorization, for which, in part, he was 6. For more information on the issue of medical Tokutaro Iwamoto. subsequently given a medical discharge from the releases and the issues with proper medical exami- 12. Nicholson, Official History of the Canadian CEF. He never returned to the RCR after Vimy. nations, see Nicholas James Clarke, Unwanted Army, p. 234. 24. LAC War Diary, 87th Battalion, and William J. Warriors: The Rejected Volunteers of the 13. LAC, War Diary, 10th Battalion, Appendix 92 Patterson, Soldiers of the Queen: The Canadian Canadian Expeditionary Force (Ottawa: Doctoral 14. LAC, War Diary, 10th Battalion, April 1917. Grenadier Guards of Montreal, 1859-2009 Dissertation, University of Ottawa, 2009). 15. LAC, War Diary, 50th Battalion, April 1917 (Montreal: The Canadian Grenadier Guards 7. Based upon the author’s examination of person- 16. LAC, War Diary, 52nd Battalion, April 1917. Corporation, 2009), pp. 116-118. nel files of White soldiers in the same units as 17. Information on another 17 is not available as of 25. LAC, Personnel Files, 144504 Arthur John Duff Black-Canadians. Some Black-Canadians spent the time of writing this article, as the personnel and 793041 George Lam. their entire wartime service in the UK. files have not been scanned and posted to the 26. The synopsis of his service is based upon his per- 8. During an inspection of a training depot on LAC website. sonnel file. LAC, Personnel File, 21803 Lancelot 21 June 1916, Steele noted a Black soldier and 18. Ruthven Pegus enlisted on 25 September 1914, Joseph Bertrand. expressed his desire that he should be discharged. Lyman Hogan enlisted on 30 November 1914, 27. The synopsis of what Lieutenant Bertrand did On the other hand, when he saw the platoon of and Raymond Vignale on 22 February 1915. at Vimy Ridge is based upon his report, which Japanese-Canadians soldiers in 13th Battalion LAC, Personnel files, 83666 Lyman William forms part of the 7th Battalion War Diary for Vimy (Bn.), CMR, some weeks later, he lauded Hogan, 45370 Ruthven Ignatius Pegus and 246 Ridge. He would be killed at the Battle for Hill 70 their military abilities. LAC, RG 9, III Raymond Vignale. in August 1917. A1 Series 8 8-5-10e, Vol 45, Major-General 19. Nicholson, Official History of the Canadian 28. Based upon author’s list of Black-Canadian Steele to Major-General Carson, 27 June 1916, Army, pp. 249-250 conscripts, and excluding those for whom the pp. 3-4; and Major-General Steele to Major- 20. Miles Dymond enlisted on 23 September 1914 personnel files were not yet available at the time General Carson, 20 July 1916, p. 2. My apprecia- in the 1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers. of writing. tion is extended to Dr. William Stewart for point- Frank Bollen had originally enlisted in the 71st 29. Author’s review of personnel files of Japanese- ing out this file and hence its implications. For Battalion, but had been released as being medi- Canadians not yet tabulated. more on Steele’s belief that Black men did not cally unfit. LAC, Personnel file, 5085 Miles 30. The Military Medal was awarded to 12 Japanese make good soldiers, see Samuel Benfield Steele, Smith Dymond, and 127549 Frank Bollen and volunteers: Tokutaro Iwamoto (10th Bn), Masumi Forty Years in Canada (Toronto: McClelland, 225709 Frank Bollen. Mitsui (10th Bn), Tow Inouye (47th Bn), Yesaku Goodchild & Stewart Ltd, 1919), pp.373-386, 21. LAC, War Diary, 107th Battalion. Kubodera (49th Bn) Takezo Shirasago (50th) Bn) particularly 385-386. See also Roderick Charles 22. LAC, War Diary, The Royal Canadian Regiment, Kiyoji Iizuka (50th Bn), 0tojuro Yamamoto (MM MacLeod, “Steele, Sir Samuel Benfield,” in April 1917, pp. 23-29; R.C. Featherstonhaugh, and Bar) (50th Bn), Manichi Nakamura (50th Dictionary of Canadian Biography at
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